Imbolc Celebration

The origins of Imbolc

Imbolc, (pronounced “IM-bulc” or “EM-bowlk” meaning “in the belly”) is a name derived from the Gaelic word “oimelc” which means “ewe’s milk”.  It is the time in the natural calendar of the year in which we banish the winter and rejoice the coming of spring and is celebrated on St Bridgid’s day – the 1^st or 2^nd of February, also known as Candlemas (the Christianised version of the name) – the first festival of spring.  It is also known in America as “Groundhog day” and marks the Sun reaching 15° Aquarius, and as such means that there are only six weeks remaining of winter.

Imbolc’s name is in recognition of the reawakening of the earth – new beginnings, things yet to be born, and the associated events of spring-time; the earth bristling with new life waiting to bud, herd animals’ wonderfully swollen bellies about to bring forth the years offspring, who are to be nurtured with the milk of life, chickens and geese beginning to lay their first eggs.  It is not that spring has sprung, it is more the hope that winter is coming to an end, and the promise of spring can be felt in the crisp fresh mornings, and be smelt in the air as the days get notably longer.  At this point in the year, agricultural tools and seeds would be blessed for the promise of a fertile harvest.  It was a time of great anticipation and celebration of the possibilities for the year to come.  The earth was furrowed and prepared to receive the consecrated seed.

The Goddess Bridgit

For Pagan’s this is the Sabbat for the celebration of the Goddess Bridgit.  The Celt’s celebrated this holiday as “Bridgid’s day” or “Brid’s day”.  Bridgit is one of the few pagan deities that survived s a saint in Christian religion, and although she was decanonized in the 1960’s she is still very much revered in Ireland.  Bridgit is the Triple Goddess, one aspect ruling poetry, writing, inspiration, and music; one ruling healing and midwifery and herbology, and one ruling fire, and the arts of smithcraft. Brigit  gave birth to the Sun God at Yule, and she is now nursing her son.   During Imbolc, Bridgit is revered once more as maiden until the 21^st of March as on this date According to legend Bridgid’s snake emerges from the womb of the earth mother to test the weather (the origins of groundhog day).  The maiden is also celebrated as the bride on this Sabbat also, and traditionally, straw dollies, known as “Brideo’gras” would be fashioned from oat or wheat straw, and placed upon a bed of white flowers in baskets, to be carried from door to door by young girls to be bestowed with blessings and gifts.  Also made were “Brid’s cross” or “Bridgid’s Cross”.  These were then hung over doorways, in corners of rooms and over beds to encourage the blessings of the Goddess for fertility and prosperity.  There is also a Scottish tradition of feeding the last ear of the previous harvest’s corn to the livestock on this day.   As most people do not own livestock nowadays however, this tradition has been adapted into the burning of corn dollies made from this corn (an adaptation of the “Brideo’gras”) that had been made in the autumn.  This was “Brid’s bed”  the harvester’s on the autumn equinox would bring in the last sheaf of grain into the house as the spirit of  the Goddess lived within it.  This grain would then be fashioned into a female human form and dressed in white to bless the house.

In addition, Bridgit is the Goddess of Fire.  On the night of Imbolc, bonfires would light up the hills as a welcome to the return of heat and fire.  During the day, chandlers would be praised.   Traditionally, especially in Europe, Imbolc would be spent making candles for the year, as candles made at this time were considered to be lucky.  Other customs included the lighting of candles in every window of the house and keeping a perpetual candle on the alter of Brid.  Interestingly, up until 1220 BCE St Bridgid’s Shrine at Kildare had a constantly tended fire, which was cared for by the priestesses of the Goddess, the care of which was taken over by virgin nuns after Christianity.  It is the tradition of the lighting of candles that was partly the inspiration for the celebration of Candlemas.  The significance of fire and the burning of candles (other than Bridgit being the Goddess of fire) is that Imbolc is a celebration of light.  Winter is dying away, and the fire of the sun grows stronger.  In times past, people would jump bonfires at Imbolc to be cured of their winter colds and aliments.  The candles and fire are all symbolically adding their energies to the waxing sun, bringing forth the joy of spring with the waxing sun. 

Celebrating Imbolc with your family

And so to modern times.  What is the relevance of Imbolc to the modern family, and how do we express and celebrate such knowledge to our children?    Imbolc is an incredibly informative Sabbat for children, as it is the perfect time to learn about growth, renewal and hope.  A fabulous way to celebrate Imbolc with your children is with the planting of spring bulbs.  Bulbs are one of nature’s wonders.  Such energy is contained within their papery forms that they are the first to break through the harsh winter soil to seek out the warm spring sunshine.

Firstly, gather together all that you will need.  Pots, good soil, bulbs (I recommend Hyacinth, Crocus and Narcissus – white flowers are best) small stones, pebbles or broken pots (be careful of sharp edges!) spoons and a watering can.  Spread newspaper out on the floor before you start. 

Before you start to plant, explain to you children the process of growth and renewal.  Explain that as the bulbs grow, so will the sun, and by the time they flower, it will be spring.  Imbolc is a celebration that spring is on its way, to warm the earth and bring life back to it.  Tell your children that the name of this day is Imbolc, which means in the belly of Mother earth.  All the plants are asleep in her belly, as are the baby lambs in the ewe’s bellies, and the eggs in the chickens’.  The fire of the sun will awaken all the sleeping things that are ready to be born.

As you plant your bulbs, ask your children to hold each one, and fill it with their hopes for the coming year.  As they plant it, they will nurture their hopes and watch them grow.  When all the bulbs are planted, place the pots on warm windowsills, and water them well.

Another wonderful way to celebrate Imbolc with children is to make candles.  Beeswax sheets are the best and safest way in which to make candles with children, as paraffin wax must be melted, and is therefore hot.  Beeswax sheets (also known as foundation sheets) are easily available from large craft shops, and there are many suppliers on the Internet.  All you need for this project is wax and cotton wick.  Cut your foundation sheets to size, (8” by 8” is a good size)  and cut you wick an inch longer. Lay your wick on the very edge of  the wax, and fold over the edge, sealing the wick tightly within.  As you do this, tell you children to lay in their wishes for the spring ahead, and seal them safely inside.  You may then roll the wax up evenly and tightly,  (It really need not be perfect: my two year old loves to make candles, and each one is beautiful!).  Then, on the night of Imbolc, you can place the candles in appropriate holders and place one safely in each window to welcome and power the suns return. 

For very young children, it is great fun to make a Bridgit Crown.  Children love to wear these during their Imbolc feast (boiled eggs are a great favourite, and most symbolically suitable!).  For this you shall need:

Good strong paper in a variety of colours, two of which should be red and yellow

·  Glue, staples or tape

·  Scissors

·  Crayons, pencils or paint

·  Glitter (if you are very brave!)

Cut a four-centimetre strip of paper, to the size of your child's head, plus four centimetres in the colour your child has chosen for their crown.

Cut out around 8 rectangles of candles (you can use less or more, depending upon the size of your child’s crown)  Your child can then colour in the candles, sprinkle them with glitter, or use whatever you have to hand – use your creative license.

Using yellow the  paper, cut out as many flames as you need.  Then use the red paper and cut out a smaller flame to fit inside of the yellow. You don’t need to do this, as it can be a little fiddly.

Glue the candles and flames around the headband.  It is easier to do this when your crown is still flat.  You can then either tape or staple the overlapping edges together.

Now all wear your crowns, (yes, even the grown-ups, it’s much more fun that way) and enjoy your Imbolc feast.